11/16/2023 at 13:34 CET
The FC Barcelona coach spoke at a press conference before Sunday’s Classic (12:00 p.m.) in Montjuïc
“Alexia has not trained because she had discomfort, let’s see what role she can have”
Jonatan Giráldez spoke at the press conference prior to the league match against Real Madrid this Sunday (12.00h) in the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium. A Clásico “very nice for all the people who are from Barça”.
A special match
“It is a very important game, because in the end they are three points away right now and any favorable result could make the distance greater. It is a special game for all the people who are part of Barça, it is a festive, important day, one of those that we have marked on the calendar. And we want to give joy to the fans.”
“When I came to live in Catalonia, in Barcelona, Montjuïc was the place where I liked to walk the most. It is a special place because of its history, because of the Games, because it is where our men’s team now plays. Every week at the Johan we have a half of 5,000 fans and I encourage everyone to come to the stadium, because they are going to have a great day of good football and I hope it ends with victory.
“We cannot treat it as a different game, the dynamics have to be the same and it is key to balance the emotional point of view. All mental preparation is important, we have to reduce that euphoria, because as a coach sometimes we do not have to give that extra because they still need the opposite.”
The rival
“It is a rival that has grown a lot, that has signed well. They have decisive players. Olga is in a state of grace, Linda Caicedo with this role inside has the ability to attack spaces and give an advantage to the teammates around her and then the case “De Bruun, due to his direct play and the numbers he is having, need his scoring instinct due to Weir’s unfortunate injury. The improvement in level makes him more attractive, demands more from us on a daily basis and makes him more competitive.” .
“It is a team that has proposed different scenarios, modifications in the defensive and offensive structures. We have tools to defend and attack in the way we need. We have worked on different scenarios.”
“The first minutes will be very important. We have to create that positive dynamic, create chances, try to score, be prepared for any context. Against Benfica they surprised us because they ran more than expected and it is key to know how to defend it. We have to be even more prepared when the dynamics are not favorable and knowing how to suffer and learn to counteract those situations.
Alexia’s mystery
“Alexia has not trained today, the tests ruled out any type of injury, which is great news. But she has had some discomfort and we have decided that it was better not to train. We will see how she is and what role she can play.”
“Alexia and Irene have done things complementary to what the team has done, in the case of Alexia, she has not trained. Irene had tonsillitis and needs a little more time to recover from this viral process. But I neither rule them out nor include them “There are still days left.”
The need for VAR
“There are always controversies in every game, sometimes there is too much talk about each one. I believe in the good faith of the referees, and all the tools that can help them are good, to avoid situations like yesterday’s.”
“It would help make it fairer. But not only this, also improvements at the level of infrastructure and conditions. We are human beings, we all make mistakes. The important thing is to be aware. That’s what I tell the players, everything that there is room for improvement , forward.”.
